9 Surprising Habits That Slow Down Your Metabolism

Watch out for these sneaky weight-loss saboteurs.

1. Skipping meals or going on extreme cleanses

Missing out on essential nutrients, especially protein, turns your metabolism sluggish, says registered dietitian Joan Salge Blake, a clinical associate professor at Boston University's Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It's okay for a few days, but after that, your body switches into starvation mode, thinking that it needs to store, not burn, fat to keep you alive. Thats why fasting isnt a smart idea.

The same goes for any crazy diets that encourage you to consume nothing but liquids for more than three days. When you dont get enough protein, your body breaks down lean muscle mass, which is what slows your metabolism, says Blake.

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